Page 96 of Daring the Defender

My eyes widen at that one but Shelby says, “Ignore him. Daddy isn’t going to try to baptize you.” Her nose wrinkles. “At least I don’t think he will.”

By the time I walk down the hallway toward the Reverend's office, I have no idea what to expect. I tap on the open door and when he calls for me to enter, I get a good look. He’s sitting in a leather arm chair by the fireplace.

He points to the one next to him and says, “Take a seat.”

I sit across from him, feeling the weight of his attention. “Thank you for having me for dinner,” I say, ready to get to it–whatever ‘it’ is. “And I appreciate you letting me stay overnight.”

“You seem to be a good friend of Axel’s.”

“He’s one of my best friends,” I tell him. “He’s always got my back, on and off the ice.”

He nods, “And my daughter?”

Ah, so not a baptism. I fight the urge to run my sweaty palms down the front of my jeans. “What about her?”

“Although I believe in miracles and divine intervention, I don’t subscribe to coincidences.” He pins me with a look, his eyes blue like his kids. “You showing up on the day that my daughter breaks off her relationship and announces she’s moving back East seems a little timely.”

“Your daughter has a mind of her own. You should be aware of that.”

“She didn’t used to,” he says firmly. “Not until she ran away.”

“Reverend Rakestraw,” I lean forward, “would you like the truth?”

“Always.”

I decide it’s time to come clean. Well, clean-ish. I haven’t forgotten the warning from Shelby that her father has a gun safe.

“I’d never met your daughter before she showed up in Wittmore, scared and overwhelmed. She was looking for somewhere to get a little solace and to think about her future, which is something that was never afforded for her before. Axel didn’t hesitate for a second and neither did the rest of us that live in the house. He is very protective of her.”

“I’m aware that my daughter feels like decisions were being made without her. She’s correct. Some things are too important to be left up to the decision of the young, but even with her tantrum, I don’t believe for a minute Shelby wouldn’t have returned home and followed through with her plans if something hadn’t changed.”

“She’s the one that changed.”

He shakes his head. “Then why does she look at you like you hung the moon?”

I guess we really do suck at that eye-fucking thing. I could answer this and tell him that I gave Shelby the opportunityto explore life, that I supported her desire for experience and adventure. But those things are between me and her, not for someone else to exploit. I look Reverend Rakestraw in the eye and say, “Your daughter deserves a man that will fight for her. That’ll help her realize her dreams. That’ll give her a say in her life and future. She’s more than a bargaining chip for your legacy. She, and anyone else that meets her, knows that.”

“And what? A man with a troubled past and an unpredictable future playing sports is going to be able to support her and give her what she needs?”

“Shelby will give herself what she needs because she is a strong, capable, independent woman.” I stand, signalling that I’m done with this discussion. “If I’m lucky, I’ll get to spend my life with her, but that will be her choice. Not mine or anyone else's.”

I exit the room, both nervous and feeling like I’d done the right thing. Also thinking I should probably go pack my bags because there’s no way I’m welcome in this house for much longer. I start for the direction I think the stairs are in when I run smack into Shelby.

“Sorry.” I steady her by grabbing her upper arms.

“You okay?” she asks.

“Yeah.” I glance over my shoulder. “I’m okay.”

“I heard what you said.”

“You did?”

“Yeah, I’m a master of eavesdropping on my father in that room.” Her arms wind around my waist. “Thank you for saying all of that. It’s the first time anyone, other than Axel, has defended me when it comes to making decisions about my life and future.”

“I hope I didn’t overstep.” This all feels new to me. I know we said we loved each other but we’ve never even been on a date. Idon’t want to screw this up. “I meant it, what you decide to do with your life is your choice.”

“Good.” She slides her hand up around my neck and tugs my face toward hers, saying, “Because I choose you, Reid Wilder,” before brushing her lips over mine.

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